Sounds much better than the US version. I thought people were overreacting, but this one is MUCH cleaner has way less surface noise.

Without saying which version is better (I love them both for different reasons, 10/10 on both ends) the pressing itself is magnificent. It's full while not betraying the tone of the album, Famous Prophets sounds almost triumphant in parts and Bodys hits harder than ever. Side A has more pops than others and to be expected for vinyl, there is a stray pop here and there but it to me adds to the sound, one of the reasons why I love vinyl (if it's a bad pressing and they're littered about and it takes away from the music then it's not nearly as welcome). Also to get nerdy, the packaging is immaculate, the paper stock feels great and the cover is orgasmically good and clear almost like Will painted it on that cover alone and it's a great idea to me to print the lyrics on each record's own sleeve, always a touch I adore. And last thing, the locked groove on Twin Fantasy is great. So much more worth than the $30 I spent on it, i'd have paid like $50 if i had to, pick this up the moment you can.

My copy has quite a lot of surface noise, and the sound quality feels really subpar in most of the songs compared to the digital version. Quite disappointed about this because it's one of my favorite records of the year. Still cool to own it on wax though.

The copy I have also has a "VX" inscribed in the deadwax on both sides of the first disk, anyone else confirm?Additionally, this pressing is on lighter weight vinyl than the other two pressings.

Vastly superior to the US release. I bought both. From now on I will only buy new records with optimal pressings. Almost impossible to find an American pressing that doesn’t have surface noise and too many pops and crackles.

I concur, this pressing is excellent and it to me it feels like the "clearest" version.

This record sounds fantastic! No pops or cracks are found through play

Slightly different stock used on printed inner sleeves, while the US release uses the same stock of different weights for both cover and sleeves. Based on comparison between this pressing and the other, it appears to be a slightly different master.

how is this any different from the other vinyl release

All three pressings, US, GZ, and Optimal have been separately mastered, the US by Chicago Mastering, and the other two by their respective pressing plants. I've compared them, and the GZ and Opt are similar, but not the same, and then the US version with all the deadwax inscriptions is further out with accentuated low end.

It sounds vastly superior. I bought both and I am done with US pressings.

European release with a different matrix. Also, in the ℗ & © field, Matador's London address is listed (appears on the sleeve - visible in an image in the gallery).

Yup lots of pops on the first song and a few more as side A plays. Other than that it sounds not bad. EDIT: as I listened more it only sounded worse... going to try and get a European pressing.EDIT 2: Emailed Matador and they sent a second copy and it sounds great. Some pressings must be better than others.

Side D has a lock groove. I know of multiple owners which all have various issues with this pressing. I had two smudges (perhaps adhesive?) on my side D. Some crackling throughout too. Agree with LCDParade and tffarkbocaj

If anyone cares, which I'm sure many will seeing as how all the Reddit drama has exploded at the time I write this, the ORIGINAL Bandcamp version is also being released on vinyl and will be out on this years Record Store Day 2018. I don't know anything else about that version, how limited or what, but it'll be there for those to get if wanted. I personally think this re-recorded version is superior, but then again I haven't listened to the original one for that long so I can understand the angst.

Slight occasional pop at random intervals throughout the record, the vocals sound fairly distorted at high points too (especially at the start of the piano interlude on Famous Prophets). Still a great pressing, 10/10 packaging and the music itself is godlike.

The label on side A is peeling on mine, also the album ends on an infinte grove

I bought the European pressing. Sound was awfull. I cleaned it and now it's correct.

The runouts on my pressing are stamped and don’t have the peace sign, messages and “JW” that are listed here. I picked my copy up at a local shop in Denver. People with all of the deadwax info I’m missing, where did you purchase your record? Haven’t had time to listen to it yet, but I’m getting pretty sick of labels using multiple pressing plants for the same release/variant. New vinyl is already enough of a crapshoot as it is

You were correct that this is a distinct pressing, I had a copy sent to me from amazon, and as far as I can tell it does appear to be a different master than the other US version, though it may not be a noteworthy difference. It's weird that both variations were available on the day of release.

I am really disappointed with the click on side A and D. Thought it was just my copy but had it replaced and issue still occurred. Not sure how this would still qualify as a decent pressing.

Looks like my second disc is slightly warped on a portion of the outer edge, enough so that it causes the needle jump up and skip for the first twenty or so seconds (more so on side D for some reason). Thinking about asking Matador to send me another copy of disc two, something I had to do (for a much-worse warping) after buying Teens of Denial from them.

Crackling on side A and D, only the beginning. Hopefully a cleaning will solve for that. Overall not a horrible pressing. Unfortunately it seems anything not pressed at Optimal in Germany has these issues.

does anyone elses copy not have the messages in the runouts?

im not really disappointed, just confused. are the ones with them early pressings and then they got rid of them? the other way around?

You're not alone, my copy doesn't have them either. Bummer.

Seems to be a common issue that there’s some crackling and such on the first track. Same with mine, though mine also skips once on that track. Kind of a bummer but otherwise a wonderful pressing

Pretty solid pressing. The very first track has some crackle but everything else plays great.

Incredible pressing! So much better than the digital mix, the dynamics are so much heavier and besides a little bit of crackling and the odd bit of distortion, this pressing is flawless, 100% recommend!

Does your pressing match the deadwax info listed here (etched, peace sign, messages, “JW”)?